A: On a good day, your hand might be worth one trick for partner at no-trump. Played in a suit, however, you might be able to score a couple of club ruffs. Bid two clubs (yes, Stayman) and pass any response by partner.

Q2: As South, vulnerable, you hold:

» A K J 6 4 » K Q J » Void » A K Q 7 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST2»Pass2» Pass2»Pass3» Pass

What do you bid?

A: You are in slam territory, but asking for aces won't help: If partner shows one ace, you won't know which. Make a cue bid of four clubs to allow partner to cue-bid in return and clarify which ace, if any, he holds. If he shows the ace of hearts, jump to five spades to check on trump quality

for grand-slam purposes.

Q3: Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

» 7 6 2 » 10 8 3 » A K 9 5 » K Q 6

The bidding has proceeded:

WESTNORTHEASTSOUTH1»2»Pass?

What do you bid?

A: Once upon a time, we could rely on partner, at this vulnerability, having five or six playing tricks, and we would have no problem raising to game. So we would still jump to game and, should it fail, take a good look at partner's overcall.

Q4: Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

» J 8 2 » 5 2 » A K 10 7 6 » 10 6 3

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTHEASTSOUTHWEST1»Pass1» Pass1»Pass?

What action do you take?

A: Partner must have either four clubs or three diamonds on this sequence but is not strong enough for a jump shift. We think it is a close decision between a preference for two clubs and a pass of one spade. Because game is unlikely, allowing partner to declare one spade gets our approval.